The Music of the Marsh 



almost impossible to distinguish tliem, and in solo, 

 duet, and full chorus set up a never-ending ])eti- 

 tion for more rain. Bullfrogs drum until one 

 wonders what would be tJie size of their bodies 

 were they in 2^i'<^poi"tion •with their vocal jiowers. 



But it is only for a few days that the frogs 

 are allowed to monojjolize the music, for when the 

 green hyla j^ipes and the bullfrog drums, the en- 

 tire aquatic orchestra and the full chorus make 

 liaste to join them. Nowhere else in nature do 

 scales, fur, feathers, and gauzy-winged things 

 meet in such commonalty. Here black bass, musk- 

 rat, and l)lue heron seek their food in the same 

 water. 



JNIarsh music is unceasing, and it is all so good. 

 As you guide your boat between the rushes and 

 glide softly over the lily pads, sweet as ^Eolian Marsh 

 harps is the music of the ^y\ud sobbing among the ^"^"^ 

 branches, the rushes rustling with each passing 

 breeze, the grasses whis])ering together, and the 

 softly lapping water. You hear crickets singing 

 as cheerily as beneath the hearthstone; grasshop- 

 pers voicing constant praise of the sweet marsh 

 growth; honey-ladened Mild bees droning over the 

 pollen, and swaying snakefeeders singing on the 

 rushes. 



O, how the snakefeeders swing and sing, and 

 how beautiful they are! There are many mem- 

 bers in the family, all of bright color: a trim head, 



317 



